My fellow bowlers…: Ravichandran Ashwin explains the huge imapct of mankading

Ravichandran Ashwin, who was criticised for running Jos Buttler out at the non-striker’s end in 2019, on Thursday welcomed MCC’s decision to amend its laws regarding the mode of dismissal. The Rajasthan Royals off-spinner said that bowlers now should not have any second thoughts in dismissing the batter if he steps out before the delivery is released.

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Mankading, when a bowler runs out the non-striker batsman if he tries to step out of the crease when the bowler releases the ball, was made a fair mode of dismissal by the Marylebone Cricket Club earlier this month. It was reclassified, from law 41’s ‘unfair play’ and incorporated it within law 38 pertaining to legitimate run outs. 

It’s one of the nine changes that the MCC made to its code, which is set to come into effect from October this year.

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Ashwin had ignited debate about the mode’s legitimacy by running out Buttler. The 35-year-old belives that not running out the non-striker could have a career destroying impact for a bowler. 

“My dear fellow bowlers, please understand. The extra step the non-striker is taking might end up destroying your entire career. If the non-striker ends up on strike because of that extra step he is taking, he might smash a six. Whereas the current striker might have gotten out. If you take a wicket, you will grow in your career, whereas if you are smashed for a six, your career may go downwards. So the impact is huge,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel. 

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He further added that bowlers should not have second thoughts before running the non-striker out. 

“So, the bowlers should not have any second thoughts on running the non-striker out is my opinion. The non-striker is very specific on the non-striker not taking that extra yard before the bowler delivers the ball. They are giving the allowance to the bowler. This is the significance of the rule,” he continued. 

Ashwin further added that he would like people to stop ridiculing him for Buttler’s run out, especially now that he has become a teammate of the English wicket-keeper at the Rajasthan Royals.

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“During my school days, if a guy was interested in a girl, their friends would shout the guy’s name when the girl passed by. Likewise when I’m playing, the crowd is shouting ‘Buttler, Buttler’ when they see me. Why do you guys do that? We are now teammates, guys.”

Ravi Ashwin was  picked by Rajasthan Royals for Rs 5 crore.